by Peggy Hunter
David blinked; his hand fell away from his neck as his eyes focused on the shoes. He glimpsed delicate toes, painted bright red, peeking out at the tips of the ridiculously high-heeled shoes. He'd have lectured April on the hazards of wearing such back-damaging shoes if it weren't for the delicate ankles and the incredibly sexy shins he'd seen as his gaze slowly traveled up the length of her legs.
The woman was five foot nothing. How was it possible her legs seemed to go on forever? And, he wondered as his gaze slowly skittered over her knees, exactly when would he see the hem of her dress? He swallowed, remembering just how tight the fucking bow tie was when his eyes caught sight of her delicate, creamy white thighs. He saw red ... crimson, glittery and thank God, it appeared to be the hem of her dress, just above those delicious thighs.
"Hi, Doctor Hartley."
Her soft words cushioned him, forcing his stare to seek out the source of the voice, way north of where his gaze wanted to stay. David mentally pulled himself together.
He took a step back and reluctantly forced himself to get a panoramic view.
Oh shit!
The wide angle view offered little relief. April's long blond hair cascaded over her bare shoulders as her incredibly blue eyes gazed up at him. The bit of fabric that passed as a dress hugged every curve of her delectable body. He imagined if she'd eaten so much as a breadcrumb, it would have showed. As it was, the fabric lay flat against her stomach and gently stretched over her small, perky breasts.
Holy sweet loving Lucifer!
David quelled the urge to turn tail and run like hell. This was the safe woman he figured on? This was the woman who wore oversized scrubs at work and seemed almost nonsexual?
"Doctor Hartley?” His gaze finally settled on her face again. “Is something wrong?” He noted her eyes turned a darker shade of blue when she was concerned.
"Call me David,” he said after finally finding his voice. “We have to get going if we're going to be there on time for dinner."
April retrieved a shimmery black shawl and pulled it over her bare shoulders. As they approached his sleek black sports car, he quickly opened the passenger door. She smiled at him as she got inside. “Is now a good time to tell you I'm not wearing panties?"
* * * *
April grinned as the door slammed shut. She'd bet her next paycheck that Tilly hadn't prepared the good doctor for this! In fact, she fully expected Tilly said he'd find her shy and nervous ... making the seduction and subsequent let down that much more hilarious.
April glanced at David as he got into the car. His face was a little flushed as he buckled his seat belt. He didn't look at her as he turned the ignition, checked for traffic and pulled out onto the street. His jaw was set firm, as though he was angry, his knuckles white as his hands gripped the steering wheel.
April stifled a chuckle. She really had thrown him off kilter! Good! Time to lay it on real thick!
She cleared her throat. “So what hotel are you taking me to?” she asked.
David's brows furrowed as his eyes continued to concentrate on the road. “I beg your pardon?"
April giggled. “Well, I hate those sleazy hotels,” she said. “You know the kind, your basic No Tell Hotel. I much prefer something a little more upscale.” And just to add insult to injury, she added, “But this is your nickel, so whatever you want goes."
David's face blanched. The car veered a bit on the road. He peered at her for the first time since he'd gotten into the car. “We're going to the Champagne Heights Resort for the Teens’ Phone Line fundraiser,” he said.
April's heart squeezed with guilt. It was a well-known fact that Doctor Hartley not only supported the Teens’ Phone Line but was also one of the founding members. Scuttlebutt at the hospital was that he considered it his baby and threw himself headfirst into the charitable foundation after his wife left him. He'd worked tirelessly to secure office space for the help line within the hospital. It was also a well-known fact the hospital administration was against the idea ... that was, until the media caught wind of it. Then, they not only embraced the idea but quickly allocated space for the help line. Doctor Hartley stood back, allowing the hospital administers to accept the accolades.
She had to admit, it was one of the reasons she thought David Hartley was so incredibly sexy. Another reason was how well he filled out his tuxedo ... which brought her back to the reason she was in his car on her thirtieth birthday.
April grimaced and pulled at the hem of the ridiculously short dress she was wearing. With every bump in the road, she felt her dress inch up higher over her thighs. “I wish you told me we were going to the hospital fundraiser tonight,” she said. “I wouldn't have dressed so...” she couldn't find the right word.
"Provocatively?” David supplied.
"Yes,” April replied. “I thought you were taking me to a night club.” Panic set in. “I can't go to your fundraiser dressed like this!"
"Why not?” David asked. His gaze slid from the road to her bare thighs. “You look great. In fact, I'm sure I'll be the envy of every man there tonight."
"But..."
"But you aren't wearing underwear,” David supplied, as if reading her mind. “I don't have a problem with it and it won't be a problem for you unless...” His voice trailed off.
April swallowed hard. Unless what? Would David reveal she was naked beneath the skimpy dress she wore to his cohorts?
God, what the hell had she been thinking? Why had she thought the set-up with David would be this easy? She'd planned to make him uncomfortable, to give him a hard-on and quickly escape when things got too hot to handle.
Now she wanted to leap out of the car as it sped down the road. She'd seen it done in movies many times. All she had to do was open the door and bail out. The trick, from what she could tell, was to keep her body lose.
She heard a soft click the second before her hand flew to the door handle. She gazed at David.
"We'll have none of that,” he said with a grin. “I've spent enough time in the ER to know it doesn't work as well as it does in the movies. Besides,” he continued, “I need a date for the fundraiser and if you splatter yourself on the pavement, I'll have to find someone else at the last minute."
"You're a jerk!” It was the only thing April could think of at the time.
"Not at all,” he replied smoothly. “If nothing else, you should thank me for saving your life."
"I wasn't trying to kill myself,” April said. “I just want out of a precarious situation."
The interior of the car cooled by several degrees. David's face drew into a dark and formidable frown. April shivered as she waited for his response. The moments ticked heavily, so much so, April felt an overwhelming need to escape. She considered trying to open the door again.
"So anxious that you didn't consider the repercussions?"
April gazed at him as his intense green eyes focused on the road ahead of him. She knew so little about him. Everyone at the hospital knew so little about him. But maybe she understood. Maybe she knew what made him so guarded. “Is that what happened to your wife?” she asked softly.
David threw his gaze toward her. “What?"
"Everyone says you're divorced,” she said. “But maybe there's something more—"
David's face split into a grin as the car slowed. “My ex-wife is very much alive.” He veered the car to his left.
April saw the bright lights of the Champagne Heights Resort as he pulled the car up to the front entrance. The passenger door quickly swung open as a young, pimple-faced valet held out his white-gloved hand for her to grasp. David quickly exited and rounded the car. He pushed the valet aside and gripped her elbow.
April struggled to keep her hemline down as she got out. David handed the keys to the valet and tucked her arm into his. He smiled down at her. “Shall we?"
Chapter 3
Happy Birthday to me!
April snickered as she rested an elbow on the bar and idly stirred her drink with the straw
. Not only was she not subject to her coworkers’ practical jokes, but the one huge joke they'd attempted to play on her was backfiring big time!
She had to admit, she figured the practical joke involved the doctor giving her the come on and, just when he had her hot and bothered, everyone would jump out and howl April Fool's.
All right, so it hadn't happened yet. The good doctor said little after he'd escorted her into the hotel ballroom. In fact, he'd kept a safe distance all during dinner and quickly disappeared when the social hour began.
Hah! April was no fool. If nothing happened yet, it certainly would soon. She had to keep her guard up at all times.
As she lifted her glass to take a drink, she heard a low whistle. She turned to see Jeff Granger, aka Doctor Horn Dog, approaching.
"Look at you!” he said as he hopped onto the barstool beside her. “You are way too hot for your own good. Who knew all that,” he leered, “was hiding under those oversized scrubs you wear at work?"
April smiled. “I'll take that as a compliment,” she said as she tipped the glass to her mouth.
"Where's Davey?” Jeff asked.
April shrugged. “No idea."
Jeff's gaze raked over her from head to toe, making April shiver with distaste. “Hard to believe he'd leave a sweet little thing like you alone,” he said, “but his loss is my gain. Care to dance?"
April peered at him through hooded eyes. He wasn't exactly what she'd term as dating material but all he was asking for was a dance. The twenty-nine year old April Willows ... the one who never had fun ... would have given Jeff the cold shoulder. But now, at thirty, she was the new and improved, fun-loving April Willows. One who was willing to take chances ... even if it killed her.
"Sure,” she said as she slid off the barstool.
Jeff placed his hand on the small of her back as they headed to the crowded dance floor. When April found an empty spot, she turned to him. He smiled down at her as one hand wrapped around her waist, a little too tight as far as she was concerned, and the other reached out to grasp her hand.
She gazed up at his vibrant brown eyes as he expertly guided her around the dance floor. April wasn't a good dancer, in fact, she tended to step on men's feet constantly. But there was something about the way Jeff held her, the way he guided her. They glided over the dance floor effortlessly, their bodies becoming one fluid, unified motion.
It wasn't that April's ability to dance improved the moment Jeff took her in his arms. If anything, he seemed able to anticipate her missteps and correct them.
She suddenly saw more to the man who leered at the nurses at the hospital. There was something very cultured about him which he kept hidden.
As the band played the last strains of the waltz, April peered up at Jeff. He smiled down at her and nodded. “Would you care to dance again?"
"I would."
As the band struck up another waltz, Jeff began to glide her over the dance floor. They suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Jeff nodded to the man behind him and released his hold on April. He smiled as he stepped away. “It was a pleasure,” he said.
April stood dumbfounded as David Hartley gripped one hand in his and placed the other on her back. His dark hair blazed beneath the muted lights as he began to sway to the music.
"I thought you dumped me,” April said.
David lurched her forward, the tip of her foot caught under his as she stumbled back. Just as she thought she'd fall on her ass, he pulled her back, veering her around. April felt the world swirl as he replied, “How could I forget you?"
April struggled to keep dinner in her stomach as David twirled her again. She quickly forgot just how much she wanted to throw up when he planted a foot against her ankle.
Okay! She'd had enough. She pulled out of his arms and glared up at him.
If this was the practical joke her friends meant to play on her, then she hoped they'd appear soon.
David stared down at her. “What's wrong?"
"Are you kidding?” she asked angrily. “There's no way anyone could dance that badly. Just admit it!"
David's brows rose. “Admit what?"
April's hands waved over her head. “This is all part of an elaborate set-up."
David's face went blank. “Excuse me?"
April turned around on the dance floor. “Where's the camera?” she asked. “Come on, Tilly talked you into this."
"What the hell are you talking about?” David asked.
April peered up at his handsome face. She had to admit, the guy played the innocent role very well. If she hadn't known better, she'd have guessed David really didn't know what was going on. Tilly must have done a ton of coaching.
She glared at him. “Don't give me that,” she said through clenched teeth. “You know damn well what I'm talking about!"
David's face soured. “As a matter of fact, I don't,” he said briskly.
April's blood boiled as she glared at him. “Well..."
"Mind if I cut in?"
April's gaze shifted from David to Jeff, who stood next to her, a lopsided grin on his face.
"This isn't a good time, Granger,” David said as he glared down at April.
"I think there's never been a better time,” Jeff said as he wrapped his arms around April and whisked her away.
April caught a glimpse of David's angry face milliseconds before other dancing couples blocked her view. She looked up at Jeff. “What did you do that for?"
Jeff chuckled. “I was saving your pretty little ass."
April bristled. “My ass didn't need saving."
"In this case, it did."
April's brows fell. “Are you in on the gag?"
"No,” Jeff replied as he whisked her around the dance floor.
April stopped in mid-swing. “Don't be coy with me,” she said.
Jeff wouldn't let her go. “I'm not trying to be."
"Seems as if everyone is setting me up for a fall,” April lamented.
"All right,” Jeff said. “I did overhear a few of the nurses talking once."
"You did?” April gazed up at him with renewed hope. “Tell me."
Jeff shrugged. “There's not a whole to tell. They were discussing what they'd do for your birthday this year. I think their plans were thwarted when Davey asked you to attend this party tonight."
"Or it was all part of their plan,” April said wearily. The entire situation was giving her a headache.
"Look,” Jeff said. “Davey's a good guy. I really don't think he'd do anything to hurt you."
April shook her head. Why on earth was she listening to Jeff Granger? If he was in on it, he certainly wouldn't admit it to her!
April twisted herself out of his grip and peered up at him. “Thanks for nothing!"
Jeff's hand held firm as she attempted to escape. “Would you just listen to me?"
She wrenched her hand with force and flew backwards when he suddenly released her. Her back hit what felt like a brick wall. She whirled around to find David standing behind her.
"I'm cutting in,” he said, his steely eyes pegged Jeff in what appeared to be a challenge.
Jeff nodded lightly. “She's all yours, buddy.” His gaze turned down to April. His brows rose as if he was trying to pass something meaningful on to her. April supposed Jeff was trying to convey something important but the moment David pulled her against his hard frame, all coherent thought quickly scrambled in her head.
David's rich green eyes gazed down at her as he carefully swayed on the dance floor. At least this time his arms just rocked her gently. There were no sudden moves, no attempts to twirl her on the dance floor. In fact, April suddenly felt as though they were the only couple in the room. His spicy scent filled her scenes; his gentle touch caused her body to sizzle in awareness.
"What did Jeff say?"
April's heart hammered against her chest. “Uhm, I can't remember,” she replied.
Her heart came to a complete stop when David grinned down at her. The ridges aroun
d his eyes crinkled slightly, his eyes sparkled. “He didn't tell you how bad a dancer I am, did he?"
April giggled. “Of course not,” she said. “I already have the scars to prove it."
David's brows furrowed though his eyes continued to sparkle. “I'm sorry about before,” he said as he rocked her gently to the music. “I was trying to impress you with my moves. Didn't want you to know just how bad I am on the dance floor."
"It doesn't matter,” she said softly. “I'm sorry I got so angry."
"Perhaps I should examine your scars,” his chin tilted lower as his gaze pegged her, “if only to be sure there's no lasting damage."
"I'm sure there isn't,” April replied breathlessly. “But if you insist on an examination, who am I to stop you?"
David's arms fell away as his hand clasped hers. As he led her from the dance floor, April quickly peered around her.
All right, Tilly. If you're going to show your face, do it now! Please, please, if this isn't meant to be, stop me now!
* * * *
David led her out of the ballroom into the lobby. When she would have headed for the main doors, he quickly reined her in. His hand pulled her against him. “I've reserved a room for the night,” he said as he guided her to the elevators.
April's heart leapt into her throat as she stopped short. “Excuse me?"
"I've had a few drinks,” he explained. “You don't want me to drive, do you?"
April hesitated. “No,” she finally said. “Of course not."
David's eyes twinkled as they continued to the elevator. “Good,” he said. “Then we'll go to our room."
As the doors slowly slid closed, April's mind whirled. Our room! The words echoed in her muddled mind.
And then it struck her.
This was it! This was the April Fool's joke Tilly had concocted. Of course he wouldn't drive her home. Of course he'd reserve a room. He was setting her up.
She had to admit, it was the most elaborate scheme Tilly had come up with yet ... not to mention the most expensive. The fundraiser alone would have cost a pretty penny and now a room in the Champagne Heights Resort.